1. (1) Provisions. Notification of incidents, and sources of radiation lost in other than well logging operations, shall be made under appropriate provisions of subch. III.

2. (2) Initial actions. Whenever a sealed source or device containing radioactive material is lodged in the well-bore or may have ruptured and caused contamination, a licensee shall do all the following:

   1. (a) Monitor at the surface for the presence of radioactive contamination with a radiation survey instrument or well logging tool during recovery operations.

   2. (b) Notify the department immediately by telephone and subsequently, within 30 days, by confirmatory letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that a sealed source has been ruptured. The confirmatory letter shall identify the well or other location, describe the magnitude and extent of the escape of radioactive material, assess the consequences of the rupture and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

      Note: The department may be contacted at: 608-267-4797 during normal business hours of 7:45 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except state holidays, and other times at 608-258-0099.

3. (3) Unsuccessful recovery. When it becomes apparent that efforts to recover the radioactive source will not be successful, a licensee shall do all the following within 30 days of making the determination that source recovery is not possible or request an extension from the department:

   1. (a) Advise the well operator of the requirements contained in this section and an appropriate method of abandonment, which shall include all the following:

      1. 1. Immobilization and sealing in place of the radioactive source with a cement plug.
      2. 2. Setting of a deflection device.
      3. 3. Mounting of a permanent identification plaque at the surface of the well, containing the information required by sub. (4).
   2. (b) Notify the department by telephone within 24 hours, giving the circumstances of the loss and request approval of the proposed abandonment procedures.

   3. (c) File a written report with the department within 30 working days of the abandonment. A licensee shall send a copy of the report to the department of natural resources bureau that issued permits or otherwise approved of the drilling operation. The report shall contain all the following information:

      1. 1. Date of occurrence.
      2. 2. A description of the well logging source involved, including the radionuclide and its quantity, chemical and physical form.
      3. 3. Surface location and identification of the well.
      4. 4. Results of efforts to immobilize and seal the source in place.
      5. 5. A brief description of the attempted recovery effort.
      6. 6. Depth of the source.
      7. 7. Depth of the top of the cement plug.
      8. 8. Depth of the well.
      9. 9. Any other information, such as a warning statement, contained on the permanent identification plaque.

      10. 10. The names of state agencies receiving a copy of the report.

          Note: Written reports and requests for extensions may be mailed to the department at the following address: Department of Health Services, Radiation Protection Section, PO Box 2659, Madison, WI, 53701-2659. The telephone contact number is: 608-267-4797 during normal business hours and 608-258-0099 after hours.

4. (4) Posting. Whenever a sealed source containing radioactive material is abandoned in a well a licensee shall post a permanent plaque, as described in ch. DHS 157 Appendix K, at the surface of the well. The plaque shall be constructed of long-lasting material, such as stainless steel or monel, and contain all the following information engraved on its face:

   1. (a) The word “CAUTION”.
   2. (b) The radiation symbol without the conventional color requirement.
   3. (c) The date of abandonment.
   4. (d) The name of the well operator or well owner.
   5. (e) The well name and well identification number or numbers or other designation.
   6. (f) The sealed source or sources by radionuclide and activity.
   7. (g) The source depth and the depth to the top of the plug.

   8. (h) An appropriate warning, depending on the specific circumstances of each abandonment.

      Note: Appropriate warnings may include: (a) “Do not drill below plug-back depth;” (b) “Do not enlarge casing;” or (c) “Do not re-enter the hole,” followed by the words, “before contacting the Department of Health Services, Radiation Protection Section”.

5. (5) Loss in potable fresh water aquifer. A licensee shall immediately notify the department by telephone and within 24 hours by confirming letter if the licensee knows or has reason to believe that radioactive material has been lost in or to an underground potable fresh water aquifer. The notice shall designate the well location, describe the magnitude and extent of loss of radioactive material, assess the consequences of such loss and explain efforts planned or being taken to mitigate these consequences.

   Note: The department may be contacted at: Department of Health Family Services, Radiation Protection Section, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, WI, 53701-2659. Telephone contact is: 608-267-4797 during normal business hours or 608-258-0099 after hours.

History

History: CR 01-108: cr. Register July 2002 No. 559, eff. 8-1-02; CR 06-021: am. (4) (intro.) and (5) Register October 2006 No. 610, eff. 11-1-06; correction in (4) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2018 No. 745.